Although the spin bowlers were initially overshadowed to a large extent for a very long period by the fast bowlers in diverse formats of cricket, they have grabbed enormous limelight in the past few decades. The evolution of cricket pitches has largely favored the spin bowlers to elevate their bowling attack against the reigning batsmen of the opposition teams. Additionally, prominent spin bowlers, including Muttiah Murlitharan, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Rashid Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Rangana Herath and many others have dominated the opposition with their formidable bowling attack of undefeated spin deliveries and assisted their team to phenomenal victories in the most fate-deciding tournaments. Over the years, numerous spinners have evolved and dominated the middle-over spot, disrupting the opposition’s batting attack, and establishing themselves as the most valuable and reliable bowlers for their respective teams across all formats of international cricket.
Muttiah Murlitharan
Former Sri Lankan cricketer and current coach of the Sri Lankan national cricket team, Muttiah Muralitharan, is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket. As of 2024, Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for picking up the highest number of wickets, i.e. 1,347, in international cricket. With his formidable spin deliveries, Muttiah Muralitharan picked up a total of 534 wickets in the One-Day International (ODI) format, 800 wickets in the Test format and a total of 13 wickets in the T20I format. Additionally, Muttiah Muralitharan also holds the record for being the only cricketer to pick up ten wickets in four consecutive test matches twice. Muralitharan’s bowling attack played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s star-studded triumph at the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Muralitharan’s international career includes a total of 63132 deliveries, speaking volumes about his unmatched legacy.
Shane Warne
The right-arm leg spinner, Shane Warne, is prominently regarded as one of the greatest bowlers that the Australian cricket side has ever introduced in international cricket. In his flourishing cricket career that lasted from 1992 to 2007. Shane Warne appeared in a total of 145 test matches, picking up a record-breaking 708 wickets. Shane Warne’s bowling attack proved to be beneficial for the Australian cricket team, even on the most unfavorable pitches and harsh conditions. Shane Warne established himself as the third-highest five-wicket haul-taker across all international cricket formats. After announcing his retirement from professional cricket in 2007, Shane Warne took up commentary and collaborated with Sky Sports, Fox Cricket and Nine. Shane Warne’s sudden demise at the of 52 due to a massive heart attack, shocked the entire cricket fraternity and was mourned by his fans around the world.
Anil Kumble
Popularly referred to as “the Jumbo” of Indian cricket, owing to his jet-fast deliveries, former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national cricket team, Anil Kumble, is considered to be one of the greatest and most lethal leg spinners in the history of Indian cricket. During his marvelous cricketing career that lasted for eighteen years, Kumble was honored with the “ICC Cricketer of the Year Award” in 1993 and was also acknowledged with the most coveted Wisden Cricketers of the Year Award in 1996. Additionally, Kumble played a pivotal role in assisting the Indian cricket team to a shared victory with Sri Lanka in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. With his fierce bowling attack on the opposition teams, Anil Kumble picked up a total of 337 wickets in the One-Day International (ODI) format and a commanding total of 619 wickets in the Test format, establishing himself as one of the most prominent bowlers to ever represent India at an international stage of cricket.
Rangana Herath
Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandara Herath aka Rangana Herath is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain of Sri Lanka’s test squad. With his impressive and undefeated style of bowling, Rangana Herath was often referred to as “the specialist of spinners” at the international stage of cricket. Although Herath was often compared to Muttiah Muralitharan, his bowling attack was equally destructive for the opponent teams. In his glorious cricketing career, Rangana Herath picked up a total of 74 wickets in the One-Day International (ODI) format, 433 wickets in the Test format and a total of 18 wickets in the T20 format. Additionally, Rangana Herath also holds the record for being the second Sri-Lankan bowler to pick up 1000 first-class wickets, proving his bowling excellence on the field.
Harbhajan Singh
Former Indian cricketer turned politician, Harbhajan Singh made his debut for the Indian national cricket team in 1998 and continued dominating the pitch with his formidable bowling attack till 2016. In addition to representing India at the international stage, Harbhajan Singh has also proved to be a stalwart of the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing leading franchises including Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Bhajji has contributed significantly to the success of the Indian cricket team in terms of bowling during his era and was a part of India’s winning squad at the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup, and 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. In his eighteen-year-long cricketing career, the turbanator of India picked up a total of 269 wickets in the One-Day International (ODI) format, 417 wickets in the Test format and a total of 25 wickets in the T20I format, establishing him as one of the most prominent and reliable bowlers of India.
